(ABA)
modern term for a form of functional analysis and behavior modification that uses a variety of behavioral techniques to mold a desired behavior or response.
behavior modification the use of operant conditioning techniques to bring about desired changes in behavior.
biofeedback using biofeedback about biological conditions to bring involuntary responses, such as blood pressure and relaxation, under voluntary control.
biological preparedness referring to the tendency of animals to learn certain associations, such as taste and nausea, with only one or few pairings due to the survival value of the learning.
classical conditioning learning to make an involuntary (reflex) response to a stimulus other than the original, natural stimulus that normally produces the reflex.
cognitive perspective modern theory in which classical conditioning is seen to occur because the conditioned stimulus provides information or an expectancy about the coming of the unconditioned stimulus.
conditional emotional response (CER)
emotional response that has become classically conditioned to occur to learned stimuli, such as a fear of dogs or the emotional reaction that occurs when seeing an attractive person.
conditioned response (CR) learned reflex response to a conditioned stimulus.
conditioned stimulus (CS) stimulus that becomes able to produce a learned reflex response by being paired with the original unconditioned stimulus.
conditioned taste aversions development of a nausea or aversive response to a particular taste because that taste was followed by a nausea reaction, occurring after only one association.
continuous reinforcement the reinforcement of each and every correct response.
discriminative stimulus any stimulus, such as a stop sign or a doorknob, that provides the organism with a cue for making a certain response in order to obtain reinforcement.
extinction the disappearance or weakening of a learned response following the removal or absence of the unconditioned stimulus (in classical conditioning) or the removal of a reinforcer (in operant conditioning).
fixed interval schedule of reinforcement
schedule of reinforcement in which the interval of time that must pass before reinforcement becomes possible is always the same.
fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement
schedule of reinforcement in which the number of responses required for reinforcement is always the same.
higher-order conditioning occurs when a strong conditioned stimulus is paired with a neutral stimulus, causing the neutral stimulus to become a second conditioned stimulus.
insight the sudden perception of relationships among various parts of a problem, allowing the solution to the problem to come quickly.
instinctive drift tendency for an animal’s behavior to revert to genetically controlled patterns.
latent learning learning that remains hidden until its application becomes useful.
law of effect law stating that if an action is followed by a pleasurable consequence, it will tend to be repeated, and if followed by an unpleasant consequence, it will tend to not be repeated.
learned helplessness the tendency to fail to act to escape from a situation because of a history of repeated failures in the past.
learning/performance distinction
referring to the observation that learning can take place without actual performance of the learned behavior.
negative reinforcement the reinforcement of a response by the removal, escape from, or avoidance of an unpleasant stimulus.
neurofeedback form of biofeedback using brain-scanning devices to provide feedback about brain activity in an effort to modify behavior.
neutral stimulus (NS) stimulus that has no effect on the desired response.
observational learning learning new behavior by watching a model perform that behavior.
operant any behavior that is voluntary.
operant conditioning the learning of voluntary behavior through the effects of pleasant and unpleasant consequences to responses.
partial reinforcement effect the tendency for a response that is reinforced after some, but not all, correct responses to be very resistant to extinction.
positive reinforcement the reinforcement of a response by the addition or experiencing of a pleasure stimulus.
primary reinforcer any reinforcer that is naturally reinforcing by meeting a basic biological need, such as hunger, thirst, or touch.
punishment any event or object that, when following a response, makes that response less likely to happen again.
punishment by application the punishment of a response by the addition or experiencing of an unpleasant stimulus.
punishment by removal the punishment of a response by the removal of a pleasurable stimulus.
reflex an involuntary response, one that is not under personal control or choice.
reinforcement any event or stimulus that, when following a response, increases the probability that the response will occur again.
reinforcers any events or objects that, when following a response, increase the likelihood of that response occurring again.
secondary reinforcer any reinforcer that becomes reinforcing after being paired with a primary reinforcer, such as praise, tokens, or gold stars.
shaping the reinforcement of simple steps in behavior that lead to a desired, more complex behavior.
spontaneous recovery the reappearance of a learned response after extinction has occurred.
stimulus discrimination the tendency to stop making a generalized response to a stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus because the similar stimulus is never paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
stimulus generalization the tendency to respond to a stimulus that is only similar to the original conditioned stimulus with the conditioned response.
stimulus substitution original theory in which Pavlov stated that classical conditioning occurred because the conditioned stimulus became a substitute for the unconditioned stimulus by being paired closely together.
successive approximations small steps in behavior, one after the other, that lead to a particular goal behavior.
token economy type of behavior modification in which desired behavior is rewarded with tokens.
unconditioned response (UCR)
an involuntary (reflex) response to a naturally occurring or unconditioned stimulus.
unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
a naturally occurring stimulus that leads to an involuntary (reflex) response.
variable interval schedule of reinforcement
schedule of reinforcement in which the interval of time that must pass before reinforcement becomes possible is different for each trial or event.
variable ratio schedule of reinforcement
schedule of reinforcement in which the number of responses required for reinforcement is different for each trial or event.
vicarious conditioning classical conditioning of a reflex response or emotion by watching the reaction of another person.
CHAPTER 6 – MEMORY